For whatever reason, I keep receiving issues of Espn the magazine every month, free of charge. This has been going on for about seven years. I was supposed to only get one free issue, but I guess I’m lucky and now have a lifetime subcription. Don’t tell anyone, because I enjoy it.
Anyway I remember what you said professor, I know you’re the only one whose going to read this, about how looking at the ads in newspapers or magazines help you figure out who the audience is. Well it’s no secret men follow ESPN more than women, but looking through the lastest issue the ads prove it. I had to see this for myself because I never exactly realized this before.
I don’t have the magazine in front of me but I can recall from memory the giant full page ads that appeared on every other page or after the stories. The first ad I recall is about a giant truck. No woman would want to drive a monster sized truck, so this one is definitely geared towards men. However, some women do so I wont judge to quickly.
The next ad was about a Tv. It was advertising how slim it was, 1.2 inches, and we all know the slimmer the better, right? This ad was different because it had a young female and a young male. This one was aimed towards both sexes who enjoy watching their favorite teams play in HD on a slim Tv. I recall what you said about how the main character in an ad is usually represents who the ad is targeting, so this one caught my eye because I did not expect to see a woman. The main characters are the man and the woman, but most likely the woman is there to attract attention to the ad, because she was the first thing that pops out when you turn the page.
The next ad, the one that sealed the deal and affirmed your theory(?)/statement and the one I’m proving about ads determining who the audience is, was about shaving cream. A giant can of shaving cream. This magazine is definitely for men. Not to mention Danica Patrick who is pushing motor oil. Beautiful girl attracting attention to a masculine product.
This blog is more about how I am now more aware of commercials and ads and the message they send. Before I would just see a commerical or any other ad and just pass it off, now I see for myself the thinking and logic behind each one.
